As a major blow to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Sandeep Nair, an accused in Kerala gold smuggling case wrote a letter to the Ernakulam District Sessions judge claiming that an ED official had forced him to name the Chief Minister, other ministers and the son of a senior leader in the case. The three-page letter addressing the district judge further claims that the ED is misleading the case.
He claims that he was not even allowed to sleep as he did not testify against the Chief Minister and was even threatened.
The letter also alleges that the officials promised him bail and more if he acted as per their direction. He further claims that his life is under threat from the ED officials.
Earlier, the Customs named Sandeep Nair as an accused in the controversial dollar smuggling case. They even got permission to arrest him in connection with the case. Currently, Sandeep is lodged in jail after being sentenced under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) act.
However, the ED officials allege conspiracy behind Sandeep's letter to the district judge and said that they will look into the matter.
Meanwhile, in connection with the dollar smuggling case, Kerala Assembly Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan will not appear before the Customs officials for interrogation. Last week, the Customs department had issued a notice to the Kerala Assembly Speaker to appear before them at the Kochi office today. However, the Speaker informed that he would not appear before the officials citing official works and said that he would be able to appear on the first week of next month.
